The bacterial microflora of witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var.foliosum Hegi) leaves

The bacterial flora on the heads of four different witloof chicory varieties was examined. The 590 isolates were characterized by their SDS-PAGE protein profiles; they revealed 149 different protein fingerprint types. The fluorescentPseudomonas fingerprint type CH001 was abundantly found on all heads examined. Fourteen other fingerprint types occurred in high densities more than twice. Among these, the following were identified: fluorescentPseudomonas, nonfluorescentPseudomonas sp.,Erwinia herbicola, Erwinia sp., andFlavobacterium sp. The majority of the fingerprint types (90%) was found only once. It was also our objective to isolate bacteria applicable in the biological control of chicory phytopathogens. Isolates of all fingerprint types were tested for in vitro antagonistic activity and for possible deleterious effect on plant growth. FluorescentPseudomonas andSerratia liquefaciens isolates were antagonistic against fungi. Among the 161 fluorescentPseudomonas strains, five were able to produce disease symptoms on chicory leaves upon inoculation. Comparison of the results of this study with those obtained in two previous analyses revealed that the leaf microflora showed some similarities with the bacterial flora of chicory roots. The chicory seed microflora differed from that of both leaves and roots.